Anthrax's manager, Izvor Zivkovic of Split Media, has released the following statement to Blabbermouth.Net: "As announced last week, thrash legends Anthrax regretfully cancelled the first three dates on the second leg of their European tour due to new vocalist Dan Nelson's unexpected illness. An additional seven European dates are also cancelled, those scheduled from July 22 to July 30.
"Anthrax is thrilled to announce that they will play the August 1 Sonisphere festival in Knebworth, England, with their good friend John Bush [Anthrax's singer from 1992 to 2005] joining them for a very special one-off performance. The members of Anthrax have confirmed the departure of vocalist Dan Nelson. In light of this development, Anthrax's slot on the U.S. SLIPKNOT dates set for August and September, has also been cancelled. ANTHRAX is already actively considering lead singer candidates, and looks forward to hitting the road before the end of the year."

According to Anthrax's management, the band's new album, "Worship Music", which was previously due in Europe on October 23 via Nuclear Blast Records, will now be "pushed back to a later date." Nuclear Blast have confirmed the news.

Dan NelsonВ has released from his side via his manager, Michael H. Nelson of MHN Management:

"I was never seriously ill or sick at all, as reported in ANTHRAX's July 17, 2009 press release. This extremely inflammatory statement hurt me tremendously. This statement misled fans, friends and family members into believing that I was seriously ill when I was not. I was not aware such a statement was being issued and it came as a total shock to me, as I'm sure it did to all of you. It was the other band members' decision to cancel the tour dates, not mine. I was ready, willing and able to do my job.

"After issuing the press release, the other band members decided, on their own accord, that I had 'resigned' from the band. I never resigned from the band.

Former ANTHRAX singer Joey Belladonna performed at the wedding of Hank and Daphne Dressing this past Saturday (July 18) in Waterloo, New York. Watch video footage of his appearance below.